Let’s face it: tea is popular. Tea is second only to water as the most consumed beverage in the world. The countries where people drink the most tea per capita might surprise you: Turkey tops the list, followed by Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Iran.
In 2019 in the United States, about 84 percent of the tea consumed was black tea, and it is the most consumed tea in the world as well. Although drinking black tea alone is a common way to enjoy it, there are countless black teas now available that have been paired with other ingredients, resulting in whole new taste experiences.
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One woman who was involved in introducing this flavor change to black tea was Ruth Campbell Bigelow, who founded the family-owned Bigelow Tea. Although she started her career as an interior designer, in 1945 she designed something entirely different: a special black tea blended with orange rind and sweet spices. To this day, the recipe is a family secret, but its popularity is not.
The tea, which was named Constant Comment, was mentioned in the New York Times and Gourmet magazine. The birth of its unusual name was explained in the July 1945 issue of Gourmet by food writer Clementine Paddleford, who explained that Mrs. Bigelow served the tea to a group of friends, and there was “constant comment” from the guests about its flavor and aroma. Labels were printed and the tea was soon on store shelves. The rest is history.
Why drink black tea
The health benefits of black tea provide something for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of some of the health reasons to include black tea, hot or cold, in your routine every day.
- Promotes healthy gut bacteria: At the University of California, Los Angeles, a group of researchers discovered that black tea changes gut metabolites in mice: the percentage of bacteria associated with obesity declined while those associated with lean body mass increased. Similar to green tea, black tea has polyphenols (potent antioxidants), which stimulate the growth of bacteria in the gut and the formation of short-chain fatty acids, known to change energy metabolism in the liver. Black tea also is prebiotic, which prompts the growth of beneficial microorganisms that promote health.
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- High in antioxidants: Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals from the body, resulting in a decrease in cell and tissue damage and reducing the risk of chronic disease. The main sources of antioxidants in black tea are polyphenols, which include catechins, theaflavins, and thearubigins.
- May lower bad cholesterol: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol may be a risk factor for stroke and heart attack. One study in rats showed that theaflavins and thearubigins reduced levels of blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. Another study showed that drinking black tea (5 cups daily) lowers bad cholesterol 11.1 percent and total cholesterol 6.5 percent.
- Helps regulate blood sugar: If your blood sugar level is elevated, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression. In a laboratory study, black tea increased the activity of insulin more than 15-fold. Researchers concluded that epigallocatechin gallate plus other compounds in the tea improved insulin levels. Black tea also can help the body better metabolize sugar.
- Improves brain function and mood: Black tea contains caffeine as well as L-theanine, an amino acid that increases alpha wave activity in the brain, which improves focus, alertness, and a sense of calm.
- Lowers blood pressure: High blood pressure is a silent disease and a risk factor for stroke and heart disease. In a controlled study, individuals who drank three cups of black tea daily over six months showed a significant drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with a placebo group.
Bottom line
Drinking black tea is more than a pleasurable experience; it provides a wealth of health benefits. Why not make black tea a part of your daily routine?
[Editor's Note: Our favorite black tea is in fact, Constant Comment from Bigelow Tea. It tastes so smooth and has many levels to its flavor. Enjoy it on its own or with a splash of non-dairy milk.]
